Gone are the days when veganism was reserved for Birkenstock-clad hippies and animal-right activists. Lauded for its health benefits, veganism supports the ethical treatment of animals and a more sustainable lifestyle, and it’s finally hitting the masses. We’ve rounded up our favourite places to dine out for a vegan meal, whether in an all-vegan dining establishment or one that offers a stellar selection of vegan-friendly dishes. Check out this comprehensive guide to the best vegan restaurants in Hong Kong, offering up fresh and ethical meals every night of the week.

Image courtesy of Grassroots Pantry

Grassroots Pantry

It’s probably one of the best known vegan restaurants in Hong Kong, and with good reason. Walk down to Hollywood Road and pop into Man Mo temple on your way to Grassroots Pantry—Hong Kong’s finest vegan and vegetarian gourmet restaurant owned by Peggy Chan. The Lululemon brigade congregates here for some Turmeric Chai Latte, Lemon Chia Seed Pancakes, Acai Berry Cacao Bowls, to name a few favourites. The plant-based food scene is rapidly evolving in Hong Kong and Grassroots Pantry is the chicest of the lot.

Genie Juicery

Known for its cold-pressed juices, Genie Juicery also makes delicious raw and vegan dishes. A bowl of Bolognese Zoodles (HK$70) is the perfect rainy day lunch—especially when paired with a dessert. We’ve got our eyes on the Chocolate and Goji Macaroons (HK$66). An environmentally friendly and cruelty-free option for those around Central, and they deliver. Some of their drinks do contain honey, so be sure to double check.

MANA!

MANA! are on a mission to save the world, one delicious meal at a time. Their food revolution of vegetarian, vegan and organic plant-based dishes is backed up with a healthy dose of eco-consciousness: policies of zero-food waste, free water, and biodegradable packaging see them putting their money where their bean-burger-filled mouths are and making a serious impact on the environment. Their diverse menu of ‘fast slow food’ includes a range of zaatar flatbreads, veggie burgers, and Lebanese-inspired meze boxes. As they put it, it’s food that doesn’t cost the Earth, making it one of our favourite vegan restaurants in Hong Kong.

Kind Kitchen

Operated by Green Common, Kind Kitchen opened this year with a comprehensive menu of international vegan dishes from Vietnamese bahn mi to spaghetti bolognese. Making good use of alternative proteins including Omnipork, Beyond meats and JUST egg, the menu also has a great selection of plant-based dishes and indicated Buddhist-Friendly dishes on the menu.

Ohms Cafe

This relaxed Sheung Wan cafe serves up a small but specialised vegan menu of Asian-inspired dishes. Pop in for a light lunch of Tom Yum soybean fettuccine, or enjoy a variety of happy bagels with a selection of toppings, including truffle vegan cheese with avocado, or sea salt almond butter, or head in for an indulgent dessert of fluffy pancakes with coconut cream or Happy Cow vegan ice cream.

The Veggie

The newcomer to the vegan scene, The Veggie just opened up in burgeoning Kwun Tong. The higher-end restaurant presents beautiful vegan dim sum during lunch, and offers a more varied selection of dishes over dinner. The Veggie places an emphasis on quality, sourcing ingredients from the pristine farms of Yunnan, and preparing dishes with traditional methods. Spice lovers can test their mettle on the Baiye Tofu in Spicy Dry Pot Style ($108), while everyone will love the Fried Porcini with Chinese Yam ($98).

Vegvolution

Did someone say vegan pizza? If you thought ditching dairy was going to get in the way of you enjoying this Friday night favourite, think again. The Vegvolution kitchen uses no onion or garlic, but compensates with a variety of other flavours, from truffle mushroom to Sichuan tofu. Even if pizza isn’t your thing, they have risottos and pasta a-plenty on this Asian-influenced Italian menu.

Fresca

This neighbourhood Central cafe offers salads to go or dine-in. Using only the freshest, personally selected ingredients, the produce comes from private Hong Kong gardens and farms. Hot and cold, the selection of fresh daily salads (all vegetarian, and indicated whether they are vegan or gluten-free which on most days comprises most of the menu). With a range of salads inspired from East to West, there’s something to suit every taste here.

Benzhen Vegetarian

Traditional Chinese dishes are elevated by the sophisticated flavours of truffles, fiery mapo tofu and other tasty ingredients. This Buddhist restaurant recently underwent a little transformation and emerged with a modern interior and an enhanced selection of vegan dishes. The MSG-free menu allows the honest taste of their vegetables to shine through, and all dishes are created in the traditional methods. The Soup of the Day ($38) never disappoints, and the Truffle Dumplings ($48/5) are a signature dish.

Confusion Plant-Based Kitchen

This plant-based, vegan casual restaurant is conscious of every aspect of the dining experience, from their sustainability ethos to the nutrition of their dishes. Their menu of healthy breakfast burritos, burgers, sandwiches and wraps provides the perfect lunch stop—plus, you can treat yourself to one of their delicious home-baked goods in the afternoon.

CS Vegan

If you’re looking for value you can’t beat this homey Hong Kong–style, vegan buffet. Established as a social initiative, CS Vegan offers a wide variety of curries, noodles, soups and vegetable dishes to which guests can help themselves. All the profit goes directly towards providing vegan lunch boxes to the elderly and those in need. While it may not be haute cuisine, the service is friendly and the selection is incredibly varied. Lunch is a whopping HK$55 while dinner is a staggering $68.

Lock Cha Tea House

With two locations, one in Hong Kong Park and one in the new Tai Kwun development in Central, Lock Cha’s completely vegetarian and mostly vegan dim sum is deliciously accessible. Serving delicate dim sum from 10am most mornings, this Hong Kong institution is perfect morning, noon or night for a traditional vegan Hong Kong meal.

Sangeetha

Completely vegetarian and mostly vegan, Sangeetha is not only one of the best Indian restaurants but also a favourite in Hong Kong’s dining scene. One of the leading restaurant chains in Chennai, this restaurant gives little indication of being a franchise with warm service and delicious food every time. Specialising in South Indian cuisine, enjoy their signature dosas with a variety of toppings.

Alpha Living Planet

If you were sad to see Alpha Living Planet’s Kwun Tong store shut, fear not: the raw vegan foodies now partner with other non-vegan restaurants to provide vegan menus that not only cater to vegans but have separate utensils and equipment in the food preparation process. Their latest partner is Rondavy’s Artisan Kitchen in Causeway Bay, who from November 1st 2018 will provide a raw, vegan and gluten-free high tea, including avocado crostini, turmeric superfood wrap, and lemongrass and lime chia pudding.

Thai Vegetarian Food

A casual family-run restaurant serving fresh, vegan food bursting with Thai flavours. The simple Thai Fried Rice ($58) is filling and nutritious, and of course the Pad Thai ($58) is a crowd favourite. Because it’s a Buddhist restaurant, you won’t find any of the five ‘pungent’ vegetables: garlic, leek, onion, shallot, spring onion here, as they’re believed to interrupt spiritual growth, but that doesn’t mean the flavour is lacking. Small and friendly, if you’re near Kowloon City it’s worth checking out. Be prepared to wait for a table as space is tight! They’ve recently set up a little takeaway shop so you can grab some homemade sweets to go.

Pure Veggie House

This opulent vegan restaurant in Hong Kong serves up unconventional dishes in a beautifully serene Buddhist environment. With no added spices or MSG, the chefs here are masters at teasing out the dynamic flavours of all-natural vegetables sourced from their own Kang Zhi Yuan farm. Dishes here are presented not as food, but as art, with no effort being spared on presentation. The Braised Lotus Seeds Wrapped in Sliced Winter Melon (HK$168) is particularly Instagramable.

Zen Eat

This bright and airy cafe specialises in vegan Japanese cuisine. Using high-quality ingredients and no MSG or flavour enhancers, the canteen also hosts ‘zen tea’ regularly. Offering a selection of small dishes and hot pot, we think this is a meal best shared with friends.

This is what breakfast dreams are made of | Image courtesy of Veggie Mama

Veggie Mami

A Kowloon favourite, this previously vegetarian restaurant went totally vegan in October 2015. Located in Prince Edward, Veggie Mami dishes out clean, fresh and bright vegan dishes with no mock “meat”. We love their unusual ingredients, like baobab fruit, wolfberry, and sweet olive flower. The Alfalfa Hand Roll (HK$30) is bursting with sprouts and sweet mango, and the Vegan Sushi (HK$48/3), with avocado, sweet corn and bean curd has an exciting balance of flavours and textures. Check it out for a wholesome post-Flower Market feast!

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A flexitarian foodie and avid traveller, States-born Hong Kong-based Caitlin is the girl in the know about the 852's latest happenings. She'll take spas over sprints, but Caitlin doesn't sit still for long as she finds her zen on mountain hikes or doing yoga beachside.